Chess Puzzle #7qVnB — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen e5; rooks c1/h1; knight d3; pawns d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c6; rooks a8/c3; knight f6; pawns a6/b7/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc8 — rook a8→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc3 — rook c1→c3, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxc3 (queen c6→c3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rc1 — rook h1→c1. Opponent replies Qxc1 (queen c3→c1, captures rook).
4. Best move: Nxc1 — knight d3→c1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, clearance, long, middlegame. The key move Rxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/1p3ppp/p1q1pn2/4Q3/3P4/2rN4/4KPPP/2R4R b - - 17 28

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